Hardware-Based Commute-Map Gadget

coreymetrics writes "Anyone have one of these things? While it's no substitute for an improved mass-transit solution in the Puget Sound area, TrafficGauge's new gadget sure looks like it beats any PDA or cell phone auto traffic map I've used. It uses the same data that powers the Washington State DOT's indispensable website. Now why can't auto makers put this kind of thing in a dash instead of mostly worthless GPS navigation and DVD units?"

Comments

"Mostly Worthless"

[DerProfi]

Well, um, I suppose the reason most automakers (and consumers) prefer GPS is because it doesn't matter where the traffic is bad if you can't figure out how to get to your destination in the first place.

In-dash distraction

[gumpish]

Anytime you're moving and your eyes aren't on the road, you're putting yourself and everyone around you at much greater risk. When my regime rises to power, everyone will be required to ride a motorcycle for 1 year as their only motor vehicle before getting a license for a car. Weed out the bad drivers...

Re:"Worthless Navigation Systems"

[SuperBanana]

Several Mercedes-Benz GPS navigation systems actually do support the reception of traffic information embedded inside of radio signals.

Supposedly the Audi navigation systems were going to support this as well...as early as 1999 or 2000 in the US, but to my knowledge they're still not doing it; I have no idea about the euro units. I think it was mostly an infrastructure problem- either lack or incompatibility.

Honestly, I question the value of such information in the first place. Rarely are other routes unblocked, at least here in Boston. You're pretty much screwed no matter which way you go. If that wasn't enough, they randomly close/open exits due to the massive construction(the Big Dig), and in the last 6-12 months, lots of big changes have been going on as new tunnels and exchanges open(which is going to wreak havoc with people with old databases for their nav systems!)

Mostly Worthless?

[sublimusasterisk]

..."mostly worthless GPS navigation and DVD units..."


Mostly worthless? Am I the only one whose hide has been saved by "worthless GPS navigation and DVD units"?

OK, OK, maybe the software is klunky sometimes ("continue to merge left for 1.5 miles") and the CG voice is annoying, but when you're lost and/or late I wouldn't describe the GPS/Nav system as worthless by a long shot.